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(No Model.) y A. D. TYLER, Jr.

`BO0T TREE.

No. 319,354. Patented June 2,1885.

llamen Sintes lia'rnn'r @lirica ABEL D. TYLER, JE., OF BROCKTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO OLIVER A. MILLER, F SAME PLAGE.

Boor-.Tana

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent. No. 3193EA, dated .Tune 2, 1885..

Applicaiion flcd March 14, i884. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ABEL D. TYLER, Jr., of Brockton, in the county of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boot-Trees, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention consists in so constructing and arranging the body of a boot or shoe tree that it can be expanded at or near its bottom in a lateral direction or across its width to acA commodate the tree to various sizes or widths of backs and feet to be attached thereto, and yet presenta smooth and continuous outer surface on its sides, so that a more or less number of different sizes or widths of boots and shoes can be placed on the same body portion of the tree and operated thereon, all substantially as hereinafter 'fully described.

In the accompanying plate of drawings is illustrated a boot or shoe tree constructed accordking to this invention, Figure l being a View in side elevation; Fig. 2, a rear view in elevation with the back removed, showing the sides in their normal position and for the narrowest width of boot for which the tree is adapted. Fig. 3 is a detail view of Fig. 2, showing the sides as expanded. Figs. 4t and 5 represent views of the under side, Fig. 4 showing the sides as closed and similar to Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 as expanded, as shown in Fig. 3; Figs. 6 and 7, detail sectional views, enlarged, to be hereinafter referred to.

In the drawings, A represents the body of a boot or shoe tree provided with a journal, B, at its upper end, on which the boot or shoe tree is supported and rotated in operation; G, its foot; D, its back; E, its center rod, having an eye, F, all constructed and arranged to be secured together for operation as usual in boot or shoe trees, except as to this invention, and needing no particular description herein. The foot C is attached to the body portion by a dovetail joint, Gr, and when in position is se` cured thereto in any suitable manner. The body A is preferably made of iron, although it can be made of any suitable material, and on each side is secured by screws a a strip, H, of brass or any suitable material, and pro- 5o jecting, by their edges b, back from the body A, forming a recess or space, J, between them,

in which space the back D is adapted to be placed and closely fit, and secured therein in any suitable and well-known manner. These strips l-I extend, as shown, nearly to the bottom of the tree, and are connected by screws d at their lower portions each to a separate part, K, of the body A, tting in a proper recess, L, of the body, and when in place therein forming a continuation of the body and cor- 6o responding with their outline or outer surface to the proper conguration of the boot-tree at the foot.` These parts K fit at their upper ends, by a bevel-joint at f, to the body, which allows them to be pressed outward at their lower ends from the main body, their strips H at or near such joint bending or springing sufficiently for the purpose. Each of the parts K at its lower end has a vertical groove, g, tting over a tongue, h, in the body portion, 7o which serves as a guide to its movements, and prevents sidewise movement of the same. Placing the back D in between the strips H and pressing it to its seat, if its bottom portion, Z, is wider than the space at and between 7 5 these portions K, it will force out the portions K correspondingly. This expansion of the sides of the body portion, as described, allows for various widths of heel or back pieces, D, to be attached to it, as well as different widths 8c of feet C within given limits, and yet present a smooth and suitable continuous outer surface at the sides of the boot or shoe tree to suit the various widths of boots and shoes. The strips H should preferably be made of spring 8 5 metal, so that they will bear closely against the back, when inserted between them, whether a narrow or wide one, and thus hold the portions K in position for the proper operation of the boot-tree.

In Fig. 4 is shown a plan view of the bottom of the boot or shoe tree, with its back of the least width for which the tree is adapted, and Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the tree expanded to its full width, with a corresponding 9 5 back and foot piece, and as will be seen, in each case the sides m of the tree are contin nous and smooth and suitable for proper operation of the various widths and sizes of boots for which the tree is adapted.

In Fig. 6 is shown an enlarged detail section similar to Fig. 3, showing the joint f, which IOO is made under-beveling, as at n, with a corresponding bevel, q, of the upper end of part K, whereby the strip H Will be relieved from any outward strain, and in Fig. 7, Which is a similar section to Fig. 6, enlarged, is shown the part K as hinged to the body A, so as to swing on its pivot r. The sides of the tree can be expanded by any suitable means and the back then inserted; but as described is most practical and convenient, and it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular manner herein described.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

1. A boot or shoe tree having its body portion formed With separable side pieces to admit of lateral expansion and contraction, in combination with detachable back and foot pieces to adapt the tree for different-sized boots or shoes, substantially as described.

2. A boot or shoe tree having portions K of the sides of its body portion A separate and connected to the body portion by spring-pieces H, substantially as and for the purpose speciied.

8. A boot or shoe tree having portions K of the sides of the body portion separate and attached to it by spring-pieces H, and each having a groove, g, for tongue h on the portion A, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. A boot or shoe tree having portions K of the sides of the body portion separate and attached to it by spring-pieces H, in combination with the back D, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

5. A boot or shoe having portions K of the sides of the body portion separate and attached to it by spring-pieces H, and a joint, 4o f, substantially as and for the purpose specifled.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of -tWo subscribing witnesses.

ABEL D. TYLER, JR.

Witnesses:

EDWIN YW. BROWN, WM. S. BnLLoWs. 

